Crimson compote

Serves

4

Timing

Preparation: 15 mins
Chilling: 1 hour

450g/1lb strawberries
225g/8oz black/red cherries
225g/8oz raspberries
225g/8oz redcurrants
225g/8oz blueberries
Golden caster sugar to taste
100ml red grape juice

Low fat crème fraiche/natural live
yoghurt to serve

Method

1 Liquidise half the strawberries with the red grape juice.

2 Taste and add a little sugar if necessary.

3 Pour this puree over the remaining washed fruit and chill. Serve with crème fraiche or yoghurt spooned over.

4 Ring the changes with other red, black, blue and purple soft fruit when in season.

Dr Clayton says

For me, this recipe represents the ideal way to step up my intake of anti-oxidants and pro-biotics.

Strawberries, cherries, raspberries, redcurrants, blueberries (and indeed other red, blue, purple and black fruits like blackcurrants, loganberries, blackberries, damsons, plums etc) are all rich in the anti-oxidant Vitamin C and flavonoids which help prevent oxidative damage. Darker fruits contain more flavonoids.

Red grape juice is rich in flavonoids (although not as rich as red wine) which protect against heart and blood vessel damage by free radicals in the body. Like red wine, it has anti-clotting effects.

Natural low fat live yoghurt contains pro-biotics, ‘healthy bacteria’ which can help to promote a healthy bowel. Yoghurt and crème fraiche are both rich in calcium, essential for bone growth and repair.

Milk chocolate, on the other hand, cannot be regarded as a health food!

Dr Clayton says

highlights the benefits from the main ingredients in each recipe, and the symbols show how those foods can reduce major health threats. The more symbols, the stronger the protection.

Heart disease